Overall, residents with and without prior research tended to exhibit positive attitudes toward research. However, this study identified several challenges encountered by ophthalmology residents that impeded their research endeavors. These included high clinical workloads, insufficient statistical knowledge, and manuscript writing difficulties. These challenges notably affected the residents without prior research experience, marked by a lack of research methodology exposure, difficulty composing English-language manuscripts, and reduced motivation for submission.
Several common barriers were identified for participants with and without prior research. These were a limited understanding of statistical concepts, difficulties in selecting appropriate statistical methods for medical research, time constraints due to routine clinical responsibilities, and a lack of experience in conducting research. These impediments are consistent with previous international studies11–15, which consistently point to the lack of research training and time as major barriers to conducting research.
The residents’ heavy clinical responsibilities, encompassing patient care, treatment, and educational activities, likely contribute to their limited availability for research. A Canadian study3 suggested that allocating protected time for research and integrating research-related activities into the curriculum, such as designated research days, may address these temporal barriers effectively.
The ophthalmology residents in our study reported having significant difficulties writing manuscripts, primarily due to limited knowledge and experience in this skill set. This challenge was compounded by limited proficiency in English, which is not their native language. These findings align with the challenges reported by anesthesiology residents in Thailand6. Implementing specialized English language lessons focused on manuscript writing and providing resources for grammatical corrections could be instrumental in addressing the language obstacles.
In contrast to the frequent worldwide reports of difficulty scheduling appointments with preceptors7,12,13, our findings indicated that this issue was relatively minimal in Thailand. This finding suggests that the ophthalmology residents received adequate support from their preceptors in their research endeavors. This observation may be attributed to the demonstrably caring nature of Thai preceptors, who tend to closely mentor their residents and take great pride in their students’ academic achievements. Furthermore, Ballard et al. emphasized the value of mentorship in residency research, highlighting the need for advisors who can guide, assist with challenges, and inspire residents during their training16. The supportive environment fostered by Thai preceptors may contribute to the relatively low difficulty of scheduling appointments and seeking guidance.
Our study underscores the significance of research experience in facilitating the research endeavors of residents during ophthalmology training. Additionally, prior research experience enriches medical education by fostering evidence generation, nurturing intellectual autonomy, and applying knowledge to scientific inquiry and clinical practice17,18. Our comparison between the residents with and without research experience before their training revealed notable differences in their perceived research obstacles. Residents without prior experience reported greater challenges, such as limited research knowledge, difficulties with manuscript composition, and decreased motivation for paper submission. These disparities suggest that the non-experienced group may have received inadequate training in research methodologies and manuscript writing during their medical school and internship years.
Therefore, the Medical Council of Thailand and educational authorities should promote the integration of research education within medical student and intern curricula to bolster research competencies at the undergraduate level. Additionally, facilitating research during residency training can be effectively achieved by organizing targeted educational initiatives. These may include master’s degree research courses, journal clubs, research cafés, lab meetings, and manuscript writing workshops.
Our findings on overall attitudes toward research revealed that ophthalmology residents in Thailand generally held slightly positive opinions. Most residents recognized the importance of conducting research for graduation and acknowledged the role of mentorship from their preceptors in facilitating the research process. The residents’ recognition of the necessity for research skill training aligns with findings in the literature4,6,7. Moreover, the participants acknowledged the beneficial effects of research on developing systematic thought processes, notwithstanding the challenges they encountered.
Comparisons between the two resident groups revealed differences in attitudes toward research. Residents without research experience demonstrated less enthusiasm for engaging in research, viewing it merely as a requirement for graduation. Their heavy workloads could influence this lack of interest, leading them to engage in research activities solely to fulfill academic obligations. To address this, concerted efforts are necessary by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists of Thailand and training institutions to cultivate a more positive research culture among residents. This can be achieved by emphasizing the diverse benefits of research beyond mere academic compliance.
In contrast, residents with prior research experience demonstrated a more positive and nuanced understanding of research. They expressed stronger agreement regarding the potential of research to enhance their future education and career prospects. Additionally, they valued publishing research findings in academic journals and recognized the positive impact of research on communication and interpersonal skills. These findings suggest that prior research experience fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the broader benefits and value of conducting research.
This study has a few limitations. A notable constraint is the participation rate of ophthalmology residents. It was approximately 50%, potentially introducing selection bias. Additionally, the sample primarily originated from two major institutions, limiting the generalizability of our findings. Consequently, our data may not accurately reflect the full spectrum of obstacles and attitudes toward research prevalent across all ophthalmology residency programs in Thailand.